Argues that any comprehensive theory of peer socialization requires attention to these five constraints: (1) characteristics of the influence source; (2) characteristics of the children being socialized; (3) age constraints on peer influences; (4) paradigm considerations; and (5) domain relevance. (SD)

Peer interactions are important in the socialization of aggression, sex-role learning, and the internalization of moral values, and contribute to the development of cognitive and language skills. Evidence is presented to support the contention that peer modeling is among the most powerful social influences to which children are exposed.…

This report describes a naturalistic observational study concerned with the functions of aggression in children and how they change with age. Background on aggression is provided through a discussion of the problems of definition and ontogenesis, which have led to a general shortage of relevant developmental data. This study involved 102 children,…

Assesses current research on (1) the dynamics within each social system (family, peer group, school) in which a child socializes, and (2) the dependencies between these systems. Outlines a conjunctive model of intersystem dependencies which considers family relations as antecedents to peer relations. (Author/GC)

Presents an overview of the research literature concerning the significance of adolescent friendship. Topics addressed are (1) the ubiquity of friendships; (2) friendship stability; (3) conditions of friendship, such as reciprocity, commitment, and equality; (4) similarities among friends; and (5) social and emotional development fostered by…

Considers developmental and prognostic implications of early peer relations. Reviews evidence concerning peer difficulties as risk factors and family and peer relations in social development. Advances a conjunctive model of socialization. (BB)

It has long been recognized that childhood socialization occurs mainly through relationships with others, but only within the last decade or so can it be said that the study of relationships has become central to developmental psychology. As young children grow older, their sphere of relationships extends beyond the primary caretakers, and perhaps…

Using "Patterns of Childrearing," by Sears, Maccoby and Levin (1957) as a starting point, this paper touches on the schism between developmental and social psychology and attempts to assess the progress of research in social development during the past quarter century with respect to five major perspectives that are at once evolutionary,…

Considering developmental and prognostic implications of early peer relations, this review delineates some functions of children's relations with other children; summarizes current thinking about the interrelations between family socialization and peer socialization, especially in relation to the growth of social competence and the development of…

This paper reviews the literature concerned with the effect of various social systems (e.g., the family and the school) on the growth of social competence in the individual child and makes suggestions for further research. The discussion employs the contemporary view of socialization which emphasizes reciprocal causality (i.e., the reciprocal…